Mohamed-Zain Dada

M-Zain Dada is an Olivier-nominated playwright and screenwriter. He trained on the Royal Court Writers Programme (2019-2020), Soho Theatre Writers Lab (2019-2020), Sister Pictures x Royal Court Writers Group, BBC Drama Room (2023-2024), and the Left Bank & NFTS Diverse Writers Development Programme (2024).

On stage, his plays include BLUE MIST (Royal Court), which was nominated for an Olivier Award in 2024 and won Best Stage Production at the Asian Media Awards the same year. In 2023, he was featured by The Face as one of the Best of British South Asian Talent. His second play, DIZZY, was produced by Theatre Centre and premiered at Sheffield Playhouse in 2024. His third play, SPEED, premiered at the Bush Theatre in 2025, receiving four- and five-star reviews and a nomination for Best Stage Production at the Asian Media Awards. Reviewing the production, The Guardian wrote: “This follow-up, directed by Milli Bhatia, cements Dada as an audacious new talent.” He is currently on attachment at the National Theatre.

On screen, Zain’s first short film, SCRAPS, won the BIFA-qualifying Novella Award in 2024. His second short film, AUNTY-JI, directed by Milli Bhatia, is beginning its festival run, including at the BAFTA-qualifying Directors Notes Film Festival.

He is currently working on several commissions across comedy and drama, including a co-created project with Milli Bhatia for the BBC and Roughcut, a comedy project with the BBC and Big Talk Productions, and a co-written comedy project with Tiger Aspect.